Fresh Del Monte expands Texas supply chain with new cold storage facility

USA – Fresh Del Monte Produce has opened an 80,000-square-foot cold storage facility in Freeport, Texas, strengthening its distribution network across the southern United States.

Built in collaboration with Port Freeport and North American Stevedore Holding Co., the new site is located at Cross-Dock #1 and is already receiving produce from the company’s weekly vessel service.

The site features 84 loading docks and seven temperature-controlled zones to maintain freshness during offloading and storage.

It will handle bananas, pineapples, and plantains, some of the company’s top-selling fruits, destined for supermarkets and wholesalers in Texas and surrounding states.

“This facility represents a strategic extension of our logistics network in the region,” said Raul Saca, Senior Vice President for North America at Fresh Del Monte.

“Our collaboration with Port Freeport and North American Stevedore enables us to improve the service our customers expect, from cold chain handling to speed to market. We value this partnership and the shared commitment to operational excellence.”

Port Freeport Commission Chairman Ravi Singhania praised the development. “This facility stands as a testament to the strong partnership between Fresh Del Monte, North American Stevedore, and Port Freeport. We are proud to welcome this addition to our port community and the positive effect it will have on local jobs and infrastructure.”

Logistics experts say the facility reflects a larger trend in port-based cold storage solutions. As demand grows for fresher, ready-to-ship produce, companies are moving closer to ports to shorten delivery times, improve temperature control, and reduce food waste.

Texas has become a key location due to its central access to major U.S. markets, lower shipping times from Latin America, and growing consumer demand for fresh produce.

Fresh Del Monte’s investment follows similar moves by other fresh produce companies seeking to improve logistics and reduce emissions.

Instead of relying on long inland truck routes or third-party storage, the company is moving more distribution functions directly to port terminals. The Freeport site is expected to reduce trucking bottlenecks and allow faster clearance of refrigerated cargo.

The company began its weekly vessel service to Port Freeport in mid-2024 using fuel-efficient ships that carry over 600 refrigerated containers per trip.

With direct offloading to the new facility, Fresh Del Monte can shorten the time from ship to shelf while improving temperature consistency throughout the supply chain.

The move comes at a time of increased pressure on fresh produce firms to keep food fresher for longer and reduce loss during transport.

Industry groups report that spoiled or damaged produce costs retailers and exporters millions annually. Investments in port-based cold chain facilities are one way firms are trying to manage that loss and maintain product quality.

Fresh Del Monte says the new facility reflects its long-term commitment to operational improvement and environmental care.

“We are always looking for ways to improve how we move our products,” Saca said. “With this new facility, we’re more prepared than ever to serve our customers across the region.”

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